Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Speech acts | 695

---

Turn-taking and asking for permission to speak

415f

A very frequent context for asking for permission or leave to do something in conversation

is connected with turn-taking (asking if one can speak, asking a question, mentioning

something, commenting on something, etc.). Very often, asking ‘permission’ to speak is a

mere formality and the speaker speaks anyway. The request for leave to speak simply acts as

a preface or softener to the taking of the turn by the speaker, or an apology for interrupting,

etc. This is particularly so in more formal contexts such as meetings and interviews. Can,

could, may

and might often occur in these contexts:

[journalists’ production meeting]

A: Erm

can I ask a question

. With Susan’s package is it possible to have a news clip as

well? Cos it’s in the morning. 

B: Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Don’t see why not. Yeah. 

A: Lovely. 

B: Okay.

[formal meeting]

A: I think it would have to be some time this week. 

B: Yes. Right. 

C: Chairman, 

could I also mention

that the county council has a conference centre down

in Redwood, which I think is probably bigger than this particular room, and may well

also have catering facilities.

[final question in a semi-formal research interview]

A: And erm 

may I ask 

who lives in the house with you? 

B: Yes. My husband and my youngest son. 

A: Right. Right. Thank you. Right. 

B: So my other sons are all away in various parts of the country. 

A: Right. Well thank you very much indeed for talking to me about this. 

B: Pleasure. Pleasure. Yes.

Might I

is also used to ask leave to speak or just as a preface to taking the speaking turn, but

it is rare and sounds rather formal or dated:

[speaker B is an elderly speaker]

A:  His mother was a character but … she was not nice. Not nice but she had a strong

character. 

B: Mm. This reminds me.

A: Mm? 

B: 

Might I just say this

, darling, ’cos I’ve just remembered. I’ll forget. We have a video of

the last programme of the Churchill series which a friend in London very kindly made

for us because we were out with her mother and couldn’t see it.

A: Mm.